rkanderson's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
fuzziesquirel's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
4.0
This is an enjoyable young adult read.
The story follows a cabin boy on an airship and his adventures involving a trans-ocean voyage, air pirates, and mysterious new creatures that take to the sky.
On the up side, being a young adult novel this is a fast read, and easy, without an overbearing of jargon outside of air nautical terms.
The downside for me was the overly British feel of the language and the first person point of view.
All of that aside, I feel that this is actually a fun read, and I could see this more as a Disney style movie than real life, because of the involvement of the mystical creature, though I know that they would do well with airships using CGI. This had a very Treasure Planet style vibe to it for me, and that is what made it fun.
4 out of 5 stars.
The story follows a cabin boy on an airship and his adventures involving a trans-ocean voyage, air pirates, and mysterious new creatures that take to the sky.
On the up side, being a young adult novel this is a fast read, and easy, without an overbearing of jargon outside of air nautical terms.
The downside for me was the overly British feel of the language and the first person point of view.
All of that aside, I feel that this is actually a fun read, and I could see this more as a Disney style movie than real life, because of the involvement of the mystical creature, though I know that they would do well with airships using CGI. This had a very Treasure Planet style vibe to it for me, and that is what made it fun.
4 out of 5 stars.
leah_faith7's review against another edition
4.0
A very easy read, which I greatly enjoyed. Absolutely AMAZING character building for the main character. The author described his inner fears so realistically and honestly. Totally recommend!
lindasdarby's review against another edition
5.0
This book was great, great, great! What a wonderful adventure. I can't wait for the rest of the books in the series!
onewinternight's review against another edition
3.0
It was pretty good, though slow to start. It took off after the first half.
kricketa's review against another edition
5.0
truly exciting and beautifully written adventure of matt cruse, cabin boy to the airship aurora, and kate de vries, a wealthy passenger on a mission of exploration. her late grandfather left documentation of a new species of strange winged creatures spotted during his fateful balloon trip, and kate intends to find the creatures. matt becomes her rather unwilling partner in the mission, as pirates hijack the airship and force a landing on an uncharted island.
i love the details in this story- that the hydrium keeping the airship aloft smells like mangoes, the way oppel drops foreshadowing in smooth as silk. it was a good time to start reading, as the third in the trilogy was just released. can't wait to get my hands on book 2.
i love the details in this story- that the hydrium keeping the airship aloft smells like mangoes, the way oppel drops foreshadowing in smooth as silk. it was a good time to start reading, as the third in the trilogy was just released. can't wait to get my hands on book 2.
pagesofpins's review against another edition
2.0
Matt Cruse is cabin boy on an airship who loves being airborn and hopes to follow in his father's footsteps. He sees an old man unconscious in a balloon and the airship rescues him, but he's raving insanely about the "beautiful creatures". On the next voyage, the old man's granddaughter Kate is aboard, determined to prove that the creatures exist. Reminicent of Treasure Island with a light touch of steampunk.
There's some great action sequences at the beginning, and the book seemed fairly well written, but Kate's character is exactly like every other outspoken Victorian female, and Matt is fairly flat other than his passion for the skies. This book also turns from adventure story to a lot of focus on the discovery of new creatures, and I was expecting more action and twists and turns. (Also, white cats that fly: what an odd choice for an imaginary creature!) I liked the world created, but a bit more complexity would not go amiss.
Recommending for tweens, especially those whose parents want "clean" reads.
There's some great action sequences at the beginning, and the book seemed fairly well written, but Kate's character is exactly like every other outspoken Victorian female, and Matt is fairly flat other than his passion for the skies. This book also turns from adventure story to a lot of focus on the discovery of new creatures, and I was expecting more action and twists and turns. (Also, white cats that fly: what an odd choice for an imaginary creature!) I liked the world created, but a bit more complexity would not go amiss.
Recommending for tweens, especially those whose parents want "clean" reads.